"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
— "Annie"
As long as I live, I'll never forget the morning of Feb. 4, 2004 — waking up nervous, rushing into work and, hands shaking, picking up the first edition of Go&Do Downriver.
"Did it print OK?" "How does it look?" "Any feedback yet?" "Did anyone laugh at my Ramblings?" "Is the art alright?" All thoughts raced through my head as I thumbed through the first edition of this magazine I was asked to produce.
Luckily, in two and a half years, we got better and better. Heck, we even changed the name — and slowly but surely, Go&Do Michigan turned into something I was incredibly proud of, and, more importantly, our many readers enjoyed.
As with any exit, I leave with mixed feelings — there are always things you wish yourself, and others, could have done differently. There's no question that, when it comes to the last 138 weeks, I have a lot of those thoughts. I guess that's the nature of life.
But the fact is, there are many, many people who helped me along the way to make this publication happen — and it would be terribly unfair if I didn't give some of those people very well deserved credit in this, my final transmission.
First off, I wouldn't have even gotten the opportunity to walk through the Heritage Newspapers doors if it weren't for David Treadwell, a family friend who worked with the late Heinz Prechter. He is the reason I began my internship at The News-Herald in summer, 2001.
And speaking of that internship, I also extend gratitude to Doris Ludtke, former writer of The News-Herald's arts section — as a bright eyed college junior, I asked her if I could begin writing a regular music column for the paper as an intern. She thankfully gave me the chance, and without the genesis of "Music Beat," who knows where I might be today.
And fortunately enough, I was given the chance to join the paper full-time by Karl Ziomek, managing editor for The News-Herald — it has been superb to be a part of his team, and his leadership of the NH newsroom has taught me a lot as I head into my new venture. During the non-Go&Do times, I had the chance work with two other terrific managers, Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling and Paula Evans-Neuman, and I thank them for their generosity in dealing with me as well.
With Go&Do specifically, I'll let you in on a little secret — I was like a deer in the headlights, as a 23 year-old guy, when I was told to start and construct a weekly magazine for younger people. I'd love to say that I had it all figured out, but I've never lied to you before — why start now?
Luckily, there are a lot of very talented people who were a huge part in the whole operation.
Behind the scenes, our production people — Mike Wroblewski, Al Natale and, especially, Carol Brown, whose hard working nature and positive energy will always be an influence, helped me turn words into pages, pages into a magazine for you to enjoy every Thursday. Also part of this squad was page designer Doug Warner a gifted artist who, for the last year, did an amazing job on our covers. Go&Do would have never looked as good as it did without these talented people.
Certainly, with the success that Go&Do Michigan had on the Internet, it wouldn't have happened without our New Media team, Annette Cortiana-Clark, Renee Roullier-Lominac and Leslie Klepadio — who, luckily, shared my passion for Kevin Federline's "Popozao" and Fred Savage's dynamic performance in "The Wizard." I am so proud of what Go&Do was able to accomplish with its Web site, and it certainly isn't because of me, but this great team of people who care about what they do, and how they do it. It is a tremendous department within this company, and one that was so cool to be a part of.
And of course, my outstanding team of writers — who, unfortunately, weren't a part of the last few editions, but, when Go&Do was at its peak, were the heart and soul of the publication and made my job a thousand times more enjoyable. Several writers contributed over the years — Valerie Hickey, Jon Horn, Kerry Burke, Gary Graff and Pat Caputo, but I want to especially recognize News-Herald staffers Scott Held and Andrea Blum, who selflessly gave their time and efforts to Go&Do when they totally didn't have to. That always meant a lot.
There's Rosanne Gallagher, my "raw talent" who delivered a unique look at a usually dull role — weekly events calendars, with her, as I called them, "Roseyisms." Thank you for always entertaining our readers and, certainly, always finding a way to entertain me. You're truly one-of-a-kind.
There's our TV expert and fellow "Mind Genius" Matthew Tobey, whose as talented a writer as I've ever known, especially when it comes to the ability to crack people up with the written word. Thank you for being my pop culture reference soul mate, and for offering your brilliant skills to Go&Do. I'll never forget some of our "Mind Genius" moments, as the laughs that, at the very least, we got from our banter will represent some of my favorite moments in this position.
And of course the work horse, and one of my favorite guys in the world, Eric Harabadian, who took a simple idea about featuring local venues and turned it into "Steppin' Out," one of Go&Do's quintessential weekly items. It was an incredible pleasure to get to know Eric, and his passion and enthusiasm for the product meant more than he'll ever know. During the harder times, his upbeat personality and ideas kept me going, for sure.
I also want to extend a genuine appreciation for Doug Podell and Jay Hudson at 101.1 WRIF for being an awesome radio partner to Go&Do Michigan. It was a perfect match, and I sincerely hope it continues long after I leave — what you do for local musicians with the Motor City RIFFs show deserves a lot of acclaim, and for us to feature those acts in Go&Do with The Motor City RIFFs Report was truly a delight. Thanks for allowing myself, and Go&Do, to be a part of your legendary team.
And speaking of all of the countless local artists and bands that I was lucky enough to feature and get to know, I want to say thank you. I apologize that many of you were waiting to be featured as I made this transition, but all I can say is press on, keep working and keep playing. The music industry and scene needs you all more than ever! Don't give up on your aspirations, and continue to remind people that Detroit and Michigan has the best collection of local based music in the world. If I can ever be of any help, make sure and keep in touch — the plans are in place for me to continue writing 'Music Beat' and 'Sound Byte' for The News-Herald and Go&Do, which is pressing on, so you'll know where to find me.
But lastly, and most importantly, I want to thank you, the readers — those who have supported us throughout these crazy few years. The chance to meet, speak with and, of course, e-mail with many of you is what I truly will always take with me. Your encouragement and feedback — even when negative, always made each day interesting and exciting.
Please keep in touch; my new e-mail contact is below. I wish all of you well, and, for those who have helped me and supported Go&Do, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
For those who haven't, I thank you as well. You've helped more than you know.
It's the end of an era ... but the beginning of a new one.
I go now.
Ramble back at Nick.
NickBrandonMusicBeat@hotmail.com.
One of the biggest pleasures I've had in running Go&Do Michigan is the ability to give exposure to some of the area's best bands and artists in Michigan's vibrant music scene.
Anyone in a band, or those of us who know musicians, have an idea about the time, energy and passion they put into their craft — whether music is a hobby or career.
It has been truly inspiring to get to know many of the great local based musicians the area has to offer. But one of my greatest regrets as I leave Go&Do is that many, many bands contacted me wanting to be a part of our "In the Local Spotlight" feature, and I won't get to give all of those artists their deserved recognition.
While I can't possibly fit spotlights of every waiting artist into this farewell edition, I would like to thank and highlight those artists who sent me their information, and let you know how you can hear more from them.
— Nick Brandon
Chrystian Tracey
Acoustic pop
www.soundclick.com/chrystiantracey
Our False Heroes
Punk/Pop
www.myspace.com/ourfalseheros
Deathgrip
Metal
Benny and the Jets
Classic rock
www.bennyandthejets.com
Eos
Hard rock
www.eos-band.com
Steve Deasy
Acoustic pop
www.stevedeasy.com
New Standard
Rock
www.myspace.com/newstandard.
Venice Maki
Rock
www.venicemaki.com
Arizing
Rock
www.arizing.com
Irrelevant Extras
Rock 'n' roll cover band
http://irreleventextras.4t.com
Exit
Classic rock
www.exit-band.net
Tripper
Pop/Rock
www.trippermusic.com
Windchill Factor
Rock 'n' roll cover band
Black Ink Project
Classic rock
www.blackinkproject.com
Blend
Rock
www.cdbaby.com/blendmusic
Hellen
Rock
Electrocrush
Goth rock
www.electrocrush.com
Ajax
Hip-hop
www.PurpleHash.com
Colic
Power pop
www.colictheband.com
Paine's Promise
Progressive rock
www.painespromise.com
Abandon
Metal
http://abandonfan.tripod.com
Stay Gracie
Indie-rock
Matt Keil Band
Singer/songwriter rock
www.mattkeilband.com
Aphonic
Art rock
www.aphonic.com
Waking State
Pop/Rock
www.myspace.com/wakingstate
Nun the Wesier
Hard rock
www.nuntheweiser.com
Glowb
Alternative rock
www.glowb.org
The Unheard
Hard rock
Deadhouse
Metal
Blue News Band
Alternative rock
http://bluenewsband.com
Back Forty
Jam rock
www.backfortymusic.com
Opus Podunk
Rock
Keefe Marzell & Vintage
Smooth jazz
Bazza
Folk
www.bazzabobbibshop.com
Overloaded
Metal
www.cdbaby.com
Last Man Standing
Rock 'n' roll cover band
The Second Guess
Pop/Rock
www.thesecondguess.com
Terror on the Red Carpet
Rock
www.TerrorOnTheRedCarpet.com
SSM
Indie-rock
www.myspace.com/szymanskishettlermorris
Blackmail
Rock
myspace.com/blackmailtheband
The Shy
Rock
www.theshy.com
Detroit Women and Motor City
Blues/Americana
www.detroitwomen.org
Jawbone
Blues
www.dangblues.com
Most Wanted
Rock
www.mostwantedrocks.com
Jan Krist
jankrist.net
Adult oriented rock
Sweet Claudette
Blues
www.sweetclaudette.com
Vigilante Sidekicks
Rock
vigilantesidekicksmusic@yahoo.com
Citizen Smile
Rock
www.myspace.com/citizensmile
Sorrow's Playground
Rock
www.sorrowsplayground.com
Verbal Deception
Progressive metal
www.verbaldeception.com
Ox
Hard rock
www.myspace.com/motorcityox
Legend
R&B
www.legendtheband.com
Eric Boff
Singer/songwriter
www.ericboff.com
Alfie's Roadhouse
Classic rock
www.alfiesroadhouse.com
Borrowed & Blue
Cover band
www.goborrowedandblue.com
Veracity
Pop/rock
www.veracityrock.com
Darnell Kendricks
Soul
www.myspace.com/darnellkendricks
Electric Art Song
Singer/songwriter
www.electricartsong.com
SWB
Rock
www.swb-rocks.com
Those Darn Accordions
Accordion pop
www.thosedarnaccordions.com
Mary Abraham & the Lincolns
Singer/songwriter
www.cdbaby.com/maryabraham
Redhill
Alt-country
www.redhillrocks.com
Measured Chaos
Blues-rock
www.measuredchaos.com
Paragon
Rock
www.paragonrock.net
Tarik Al-Kadhim
Alternative rock
www.compactdeity.com
Gentleman Caller
Country
www.thecallers.net
Tom and Robin Moore
Country/Folk
www.mooretunes.net
The Pontiac Plowboys
Alt-Country
www.detroitcity.com/pontiacplowboys
Mustard Seed
Classic rock
www.mustardseed-rocks.com
Sunkwa
World music
www.sonicbids.com/sunkwa
Tracey Kash Thomas
Jazz
www.tracykash.com
The Offramps
Pop/Rock
www.theofframps.com
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